Suicide information: people who can help if you're feeling suicidal

Do you feel suicidal?

If you are feeling suicidal, there are people who can help.

You should speak to those around you about how you are feeling and why.

Go to see your GP, who often can help you directly and also enlist the help of other health professionals. If you cannot arrange to attend your doctor's surgery consider going to your local A&E department.

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Consider calling a crisis line – such as the Samaritans – a confidential telephone counselling service that's available 24 hours a day.

There will be some form of "crisis" service in your local area run by the local mental health service. Often you will be assessed at home. Contact numbers should be available on the internet or in the phone book. Your GP will be able to provide relevant contact details.

Do many people commit suicide?

There are around 6000 recorded suicides per year in the UK. It is among the 10 most common causes of death, and the fourth most common for young adults.

Since the 1960s the rates have been increasing but have decreased a little in more recent years.

More women than men take overdoses, although the difference between the sexes is decreasing. Men are more likely to use violent means or car exhaust fumes than women. One in six people who take their own life leave a note.

The majority of people who take their own life do not leave a note.

Risk factors

Young men are a particularly high-risk group, although suicide rates increase with age and are highest for men aged between 45 and 49 years old. There has been a large increase in younger age groups and some decline in the suicide rates in the elderly.

Up to 90 per cent of people who take their own life have a psychiatric illness, with 70 per cent having some symptoms of depression, if not a clear depressive illness. Overall, 10 to 15 per cent of people with depression, schizophrenia or alcohol problems will commit suicide.

The risk is also higher in those who are more socially isolated. People who are divorced or widowed are at higher risk. The lowest risk is in those who are married.

Rates are higher in the unemployed than the employed.

Some employment groups have high rates, including university students, doctors, dentists, vets, lawyers, farmers, policemen and insurance agents.

A previous episode of deliberate self-harm (such as an overdose or cutting ones wrists) increases the risk of eventual suicide.

What signs should family and friends pay attention to?

There is an urban myth that people who are seriously considering suicide do not talk about their feelings or intentions. In fact, suicidal ideas are expressed by two thirds of people before they act.

If someone you know is unhappy or depressed, let the person talk about whatever is troubling them. Try to help them avoid things that are likely to make them feel worse, for example alcohol or drugs.

If someone you know talks about taking their life, take the risk seriously.

Put the person in contact with one of the crisis services. You can contact Samaritans for advice on 08457909090. Any conversation will be confidential.

Get professional support if necessary. This would usually be the person's GP, or their mental health professional, or you may need to take them to A&E You can also contact the NHS 111 24-hour helpline for advice and information about local services.

If a person attempts suicide but survives, there remains the risk that they will try again. For this reason, they will certainly require professional help, together with as much support as possible from family and friends.

Crisis lines

PAPYRUS prevention on young suicide HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41 Monday to Friday: 10am-10pm, weekends & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm. A specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 or anyone who is concerned about a young person.

YoungMinds Parent helpline 0808 802 55 44Monday to Friday: 9.30am-4pm. Free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

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